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Popular program reduces greenhouse gases, smog, diesel emissions
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California Air Resources Board
Release #:11-31
Date:07/21/2011
ARB PIO: (916) 322-2990
CONTACT:
Mary Fricke
916-322-2638
mfricke@arb.ca.gov
Air Board Approves $40 Million in Additional Funding for Clean
Vehicles
Popular program reduces greenhouse gases, smog, diesel emissions
SACRAMENTO -
Today the Air Resources Board approved up to $40 million for the
third year of funding to promote the purchase of next-generation
clean cars, trucks and off-road equipment.
Californians will be able to use vouchers or rebates on a
first-come, first-served basis toward the purchase of
zero-emission or plug-in hybrid cars, and zero-emission or hybrid
trucks and buses.
“This money is going to put thousands of ultra-clean vehicles on
our roads within the year,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols.
“That means better air quality sooner, and real progress in
making a dent in our dependence on petroleum.”
The Board directed staff to provide the following funding:
• $15 million to $21 million for continued funding of
consumer rebates of up to $2,500 toward the purchase of
zero-emission or plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles;
• $11million to $16 million to continue providing
vouchers for California businesses to buy lower-emitting and
fuel-efficient hybrid and zero-emission trucks and buses; and,
• $2 million to $3 million toward promising locomotive,
truck, and bus technology demonstration projects needed for
California to meet its long-term air quality goals.
This is the third year of the Air Quality Improvement Program,
established by AB 118 (2007, Nunez), that invests in critical new
emission-reduction technologies. In its first two years, the
program funded approximately 2,000 zero-emission passenger
vehicles and over 1,000 hybrid and zero-emission trucks and
buses, totaling $58 million. Funding for these programs is
generated from expected revenues from smog abatement, vehicle and
vessel registration fees. Since funding levels are not yet known
exactly, the Board ad range of funding from these sources.
The passenger vehicle rebates and truck and bus vouchers have
proven to be extremely popular with California consumers. A
waitlist has been established for zero-emission or plug-in hybrid
passenger vehicle rebates to ensure that the additional rebates
will be distributed fairly on a first-come, first-served basis in
the fall.
AB 118 funding also provides about $100 million annually to the
California Energy Commission for projects that reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and promote fuel diversity, and up to $30 million
annually to the Bureau of Automotive Repair for voluntary
passenger vehicle scrappage programs. Unless reauthorized, AB
118 and its programs will sunset in 2015.
Smog is known to exacerbate a variety of cardiovascular and
respiratory conditions such as heart disease and asthma, and
diesel particulate matter was listed as toxic in 1998. ARB is
the lead agency for implementing AB 32, the Global Warming
Solutions Act of 2006, and is part of an administration-wide
effort to address climate change and mitigate the most severe
projected impacts of global warming by reducing greenhouse gas
emissions statewide. ARB has worked to reduce diesel emissions
by 85 percent and reduce greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020.
For more information on the program and how to apply for a
voucher or rebate, visit
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/aqip/aqip.htm
For information on buying the cleanest, most fuel efficient cars
on the market, visit the DriveClean website at
http://www.driveclean.ca.gov/
ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare,
and ecological resources through effective reduction of air
pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the
economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in
California to attain and maintain health based air quality
standards.